Flashback: McCain Condemned Robo-Slime In 2000 As "Hate Calls"
Joe Klein adds an important point to the evolving story about John McCain's massive robo-sleaze campaign, pointing out that McCain was once outraged by this tactic -- when he was the victim of it, that is:
Back in 2000, in South Carolina, the robocalls -- and calls to local right-wing talk radio shows -- were about John McCain's "interracial child" and Cindy McCain's drug addiction. They were a craven, disgusting tactic by the George W. Bush campaign. McCain was, rightly, outraged by them.Now McCain's campaign is making robocalls distorting Barack Obama's non-existent relationship with Bill Ayers...
Now this isn't quite the spew that McCain suffered in South Carolina, but hey, he's got three more weeks to descend to that.
Klein adds that "Senator Honorable" is now in the "sewer." Brutal. And, by the way, it's true: McCain did condemn robocalls in 2000. On February 20 of that year, according to Nexis, he called them "hate calls" and complained about being "inundated" by them.
But that was then. Today, they're perfectly acceptable -- as long as McCain is using them on someone else.
It's only the latest example of McCain jettisoning a previously held -- or previously claimed -- principle in the face of his more and more likely defeat.
If there's audio or video of that, it would make a great ad. Or simply his quoted words on a screen. I hope that info is provided somehow. I'm guessing it's just a matter of time.
The worse problem is the anger of mcShame supporters being vented on the press.
As I've said before, all news orgs should provide helmets and flack jackets for reporters at mcFailin rallies. And show the news footage of that. Show how they have to dress in riot gear to try and get the news out.
October 17, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Plus, let's have peaceful demonstrations. For civility. Against violence or incitement to violence.
If these repubs are so against terrorism, why in the world are they inciting or condoning violence at their rallies?
Talk about "palin" around with terrorists!
October 17, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
As funny as McLame was last night at the Smith dinner, and he was, there was still an undercurrent there that told me he was mad and he meant a lot of what he said that was supposed to be funny.
He's the nastiest little man I think I've ever seen. I want him as far away from the White House as possible.
October 17, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pathetic, small, nasty piece of work.
October 17, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
The great irony is that he would have been better served being the happy warrior he was in 2000. People are sick of Bush tactics. But he caved and figured since he didn't beat the Rove crew he had to join them.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 17, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
He joined them in order to get the nomination. And then had already sold his soul.
Truthfully, I NEVER trusted the guy. Not since Keating 5. Didn't really know of him till then. But that did it for me!
October 17, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Putting the Al Smith dinner appearance (and all the debates) side-by-side with Letterman, it looks to me like McCain is MUCH more comfortable when Obama isn't in the room.
October 17, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly! He was reminding me of the ca. 2000 McCain when he was speaking, but while Obama was giving his speech he could still barely bring himself to look at him, even while Obama was making the obligatory "John McCain is an American hero" comments.
October 17, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
O my god - I didn't see that post Josh has up until just now - a reporter was assaulted at a Palin rally?
Shut her down. Now.
October 17, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
What post? Where?
October 17, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
David Kurtz posted it on the front page -
link to the story: http://blog.news-record.com/staff/capblog/archives/2008/10/report_from_pal.shtml
October 17, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
I read the account. It was only a matter of time. And it will happen again. The thing is, they kicked the people with the loudest voice and may have done some damage that can't be glossed over.
October 17, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
One of Tena's Rules for life:
If you are running for office, do not go to war against the press.
That's just common sense - like one of my other hard and fast rules: never piss off the person who is cutting your hair, especially while they are cutting it.
I mean come on -
October 17, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
...or insulting someone who is going to be alone with your food before it gets to your table. ;-)
October 17, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
O yes.
That's a Rule.
So is: never marry a man who doesn't think you look better without any makeup on.
That's a Rule, ladies.
October 17, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. I ended a relationship with someone as a sophomore in college for that very reason. Shocked the heck out of him too!
October 17, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Next up: A pogrom for reporters conducted by McShame brownshirts.
October 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Someone needs to talk about his POW and medical records.
His captor says that McSongbird was not tortured because he was a commander's son - too valuable and besides, he did like to sing Vietcong songs.
http://www.alternet.org/election08/103233/mccain_was_not_tortured%2C_pow_guard_claims/
October 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
So a National Review writer said that if abortion had been legal when Barack's mom became pregnant, he would've been aborted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/17/national-review-writer-ob_n_135501.html
Seems like wishful thinking on the part of the GOP.
October 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
O for god's sake!
Well the stupid NRO lost one of their best brains when Chris Buckley was invited to leave for supporting Obama.
NRO is going to sideline itself and it can't happen soon enough.
October 17, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man if I had any money left, now would be the time to make a killing on stock - buy low, sell high.
It's about as low as it's going to go and Buffett is saying Buy and god I would if I had any money left! LOL!
October 17, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since there appears to be no depth to which McSlimeball won't plumb, maybe I'll just hope they get nastier and nastier. To the point where only the most racist, bigoted knuckledraggers will have anything to do with them...
October 17, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Back in the primaries, I said this about Hillary, but I think perhaps it's even more applicable to McShame: He's behaving like an abused child who grows up to become an adult abuser. Everything that was done to him he feels (perhaps subconsciously, not that it matters) entitled to do to others.
October 17, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I like to look at pictures of people's faces and cover half of the face and just look at one side at a time because people's faces say totally different things on the different sides. I've done that with a bunch of pictures of McLame and one side of his face is furious - permanently. The other side is hopelessly lost. One of his eyes is just madder than shit. The other is so sad and so lost. If I am not careful I could end up feeling sorry for him and I don't want to cause he doesn't deserve it.
One side of Obama's face is ambition - purely. The other side is nothing but real concern and compassion.
That's how I see them anyway - just my little game.
October 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting. Do you think that's a left-brain, right-brain thing? I'll have to try it myself. It certainly seems like you're capturing key elements of each of their characters.
And whenever you're inclined to feel sorry for McShame, just remember -- he's got no one to blame but himself.
October 17, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck John McCain. McCain is so perverse in his hypocrisy. McCain was so appalled in 2000 by robocalls that he went out and hired and palls around with all the miscreants that employed these unspeakable tactics on him. That speaks volumes about McCainโs lack of honesty, honor, integrity, soul, courage and character.
McCain whined and complained during the last debate about having sit through negative attack ads about him while watching a football game. Just imagine all people who must suffer through McCain's vile robocalls while eating dinner, helping their kids with their homework or just relaxing after a long day at work
October 17, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is pulling of of Colorado.
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/nrsc_pulling_out_of_co.php
October 17, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Holy Bejesus. What's the path to victory now? Iowa?
October 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's over.
October 17, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, the story is not talking about McCain...it's talking about the NRSC...the Republican senatorial committee. They're giving up on the Udall/Schaffer race there. (Although it sure is good news for the Dems).
October 17, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that about the senate race though?
Here's a funny picture for no particular good reason . . .
October 17, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Huh? Where in that story does it say anything about McCain pulling out of Colorado?
October 17, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is NOT pulling out of Colorado, the NRSC is, meaning Bob Schaeffer is not going to get extra support from them in his bid for Allard's open Senate seat.
Trust me, McCain is running full steam here. Losing Colorado is not an option for him.
October 17, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
What psyclone and John Nail below said. The NRSC is throwing in the towel there in throwing more money down the drain on Bob Schaeffer opposing Udall.
John
October 17, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just e-mailed a link to this story to
info@gop.com
info@johnmccain.com
It's the least I can do.
October 17, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
McShame has done to himself what the North Vietnamese couldn't do -- destroy his honor, his integrity, his reputation, his legacy. For all time.
October 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Amen. You nailed it!
October 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hear murmur from the Obama campaign insiders that something strong counterpunch is in the offing, to nullify McHate's robo calls. Hopefully they will come out by Tuesday. post
For those who are not fond of polls, it is worth reading David Moore's retrospection at pollster. (I love polls as long as they show we are ahead by a good margin).
Link: http://pollster.com/blogs/david-moore/
October 17, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone seen this ad for Udall in NM?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/17/injured-iraq-vet-stars-in_n_135507.html
October 17, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I haven't seen that one yet.
October 17, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have received around 4 or 5 of these hate calls (to quote Senator McCain) here in Joplin. ...At the Obama Campaign HQ. It's things like this that have brought me to the conclusion that I have.
October 17, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
So I read your blog today and saw that new avatar - is that you?
If that's you, you are gorgeous! Gorgeous!
October 17, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
*blush* Yeeeah, that's meee. Lol. Not quite sure how to respond. You flatter me, though. ;)
October 17, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks works.
So does a blush.
You really are that good looking.
October 17, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
=)
October 17, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice post, man. I agree 100-effing-%. Send a message that this kind of politics Has. To. End.
October 17, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's true... We can't go on like this. We really just can't. I know politics, especially American politics, can be dirty. I accept that and I can deal with a certain amount of it. But things have gone too far. Things have gone way. Too. Far.
October 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
When a campaign starts to undermine a civil society, that campaign has become the enemy of society.
October 17, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I couldn't have said it better myself.
October 17, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with your sentiments and I also rec'd your blog this morning.
Thanks for the work your doing there in MO and I shall agree with Tena here.....nice new avatar!
October 17, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Lol. =)
October 17, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
They're robocalling Obama headquarters?
Way to go on likely votor identification, Repugs. Don't worry, that famous 72 hour push will make up for your complete lack of groundgame.
October 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
In states like MO here (and OH where I see you are), and especially in places like the southwest here... That 72 hour shift could actually make a difference. And that's why we need to get out there NOW and get to the undecideds NOW and talk to them about Barack. We need them to know about Barack's vision for the country NOW, before McCain can get to them and spread his malicious lies.
October 17, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I found some video footage of McCain saying how people needed to stop these nasty phone calls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFPddnQOhME
You can find it at 14:50 into the tape. He goes on to condemn Bush and pleaded with him to stop.
Lets make this available.
October 17, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good work, mike!
I'll spread it around.
October 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is there a transcript?
October 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have video editing software to edit out only the part that is pertinent or I would.
October 17, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have video editing software to edit out only the part that is pertinent or I would.
October 17, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that these robocalls are generally sleazy, but isn't the substance of these McCain robocalls relevant to whether or not his acceptance of them makes him a "hypocrite" in this regard? I read nothing of his quotes that condemned this medium of reaching voters, only the specific deplorable calls being sent out by Bush (re: an African American child out of wedlock).
Can't McCain simply disagree that the substance of these calls is inappropriate without being a hypocrite?
What, exactly, are these calls saying about Obama?
If it's outright lies, then yes, McCain is a horrible hypocrite for not condemning them.
October 17, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
The NRSC NOT McCain is pulling out or the RNC - this is the Senate arm not the main campaign. They are acceding to a Udall win. Them no being there can't hurt and will free up DRSC and DNC funds for other races like ours here in GA
October 17, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is asking MSM and AP for $45 million for the release of her selected set of emails, each set priced at $15 million. Even at that price, many emails won't be available.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27228287/
October 17, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Say what?
October 17, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
The best thing the Obama camp could do is play these nasty calls on air in an ad, followed by McCain condemning them strongly in 2000 and then ask "What Changed, Sen. McCain?
October 17, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Goddamn, Jonze - for once I totally agree with this Advice to the Campaign.
I co-sign that - I think it would be brilliant.
October 17, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone have any clips of McCain in 2000 or shortly there after talking about the robo calls?
This is from 2007 when of course he's completely changed his tune since he was trying to embrace the Base:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqNuFMx_5M
John
October 17, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
If, by the grace of Satan, McCain/Palin should win, they will hated beyond that of The Shrub.
Bush.Cheney ~Nuremburg '09
October 17, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Robocalls about both scary and annoying, but this one takes the cake.
http://www.entertonement.com/clips/33868/John-McCain-Robo-Call
October 17, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can someone please get interested in this???
http://www.vdare.com/buchanan/080821_treason.htm
October 17, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink